e glanced around upon his daughter.

Lois suddenly started and looked keenly at her father as if she had not
heard aright. This was the first time that he had ever hinted at any
interest on her part in Jasper. A feeling of resentment welled up in
her heart.

"Why should I know?" she enquired, "and what reason have you for asking
me such a question?"

Mr. Sinclair, however, did not deign to make any explanation, but
puffed away at his cigar. Lois took this as a direct insult and
started to leave the table. She wished to get away by herself that she
might think it all over.

"And where does old Crazy David come in?" her father asked. "What
interest has he in that concern?"

"I have not the slightest idea," Lois impatiently replied. "Why do you
expect me to understand such things?"

"But you should know. You see that old man every day, and are so
interested in his welfare. Surely he must have told you something, and
if he did not you should have tried to find out. Remember, you are my
daughter, and my interest should be your first concern. Both you and
Dick think that you have no responsibilities in life, and that I will
always provide for you. If we are not careful that new company will
put us out of business; so you two must do all you can to help me.
Something must be done to cheek that concern and I want you to assist
me. As it is, I am working in the dark and do not know what to expect
next, or who are the ones working against me. Is it old David who is
merely acting the part of a fool, or is it that young man who pretended
to be a hired hand, who worked awhile for Simon Squabbles? There is
something queer about the whole thing, and I am nearly crazy trying to
puzzle it all out."

To these words Lois made no reply. She quietly left the table and made
her way out of the house and walked down to the shore. Here she felt
more at home, and the stillness which reigned over land and water
soothed her, bringing a restful peace to her heart and mind.

CHAPTER XII

PYRAMID ROCK

A good home, plenty of well-cooked food, and proper attention did much
for old David. His strength, and health improved, and although he lost
nothing of his interest in the falls, he was quite content to listen
more to the sound drifting down the valley instead of visiting the
place as often as formerly. The spot he liked best of all was the cosy
corner on the verandah, just outside the window of his room. Here the